College Football Predictions – Wyoming Cowboys 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 8-6
2016 ATS – 10-4
That was a fun ride.
Wyoming had a wonderful season and were THIS close to having it be truly magical. They won five conference games in a row mid-season including triumphs over Colorado St, Air Force and Nevada. They stubbed their toe vs UNLV in a 3-OT WAR OF ATTRITION but had a big home win vs San Diego St to clinch a spot in the Mountain West Championship (round TWO with the Aztecs). Wyoming lost 27-24 in that game but everyone involved should be proud of the fine season. Expectations are now quite a bit higher in Laramie.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Mountain West -TBD
Mountain Division – TBD
OFFENSE
Wyoming returns 7-tool star QB Josh Allen who is almost certainly leaving for the NFL draft after this season. Allen threw for 3,200 yards and 28 TDs while rushing for another seven. The problem ? 15 INTs and just a 56% completion percentage. Allen will be challenged this season as star RB Brian Hill (1,860, 22 TD) and backup Shaun Wick are no longer in the backfield. They will also be without their top-3 leading pass catchers from last season including 1,300-yard man Tanner Gentry. Thankfully the Cowboys return a solid offensive line (4/5 starters from 2016) and everything starts with the QB/OL combo. Amirite ? The question becomes – can we rely upon Wyoming to be able to just reload at the skill positions ? Hard to say.
DEFENSE
You know it will be a KOOKY season in this division when Wyoming could have the best defense on paper. They return eight starters including 3/4 on the defensive line and a killer SS in 1st Team MW performer Andrew Wingard. The LB unit is inexperienced but the secondary might be the best in the entire conference. Wyoming bagged 30 (!) sacks last season and should have similar success in 2017.
JUGGERNAUT ALERT – SS Andrew Wingard is just a junior but has already registered over 250 (!) tackles in two seasons. He tackles often, and when he does, he prefers to administer pain.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be an issue. PK Cooper Rothe was just 13/20 on FGs last season including a disappointing 3/8 from 40+ yards. They need to replace a really good P and KR.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
The schedule sets up pretty well. We will probably avoid playing them on September 30 at home to Texas St as yuuuge favorites. It will be their 4th straight home game and a meaningless non-conference affair before their bye week (or as the new kids say – the BUY week).
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Wyoming played in TWO 3-OT games last season and the combined score was 106-103. Congrats OVER bettors.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the COWBOYS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.
MEGALOCKS members were spellbound by our call on Wyoming last year. An 8.0 ATS Value Rating…“A team with a superstar RB and a proven winner at HC has to be given a shot to be a money-maker.”
The 2017 Wyoming Cowboys present us with a tough call. On the plus side, they have a really talented QB, an improved defense and excellent HC. On the other hand, there is a complete reload at RB and WR, and the division is going to be a MEAT GRINDER. Not to mention a couple of their out-of conference games. The tie-breaker might just be the fact that Wyoming is rarely on the DEGENERATE RADAR providing value for those who wish to be brave and back the wacky Cowboys. Watching for now.
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News
http://wyomingcowboysblog.com/
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http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/wyoming-cowboys
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https://twitter.com/rpgagliardi (@rpgagliardi) Robert Gagliardi